Tynia, In Her Own Words.

Tynia graduated from The SEED School of Washington, D.C. in 2013. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP) in 2017, where she double-majored in arts management and communications. As a student at SEED, she played varsity basketball and volleyball, served as vice president of student government and class government, volunteered as a peer mentor and tutor, and studied abroad in Japan.

How has the College Transition & Success (CTS) team helped you throughout your college experience?

CTS helps me so much. They’re really nosy--in a good way--so they always know what’s going on! They’re like a second set of parents. Three or four CTS and SEED School staff come to visit us every year at UWSP because of a special partnership SEED and UWSP have built. They’re always helping us fix any problems we’re having and making sure we’re taking advantage of all the resources on campus. They call us, follow us on social media, and also check on us.

Tynia with Ms. Baker, College Success Manager, during her College Outreach Visit.

What did you like best about UWSP?

I really appreciate the sense of community and it’s easy for me to feel safe when I walk around campus. This is particularly important because I work at a bank 25 hours a week and sometimes I leave around 10 pm. I walk back to campus, because I don’t have a car, but I never feel like I have to worry about anything. If anything, people are really kind and offer to give you a ride back! It’s small, which is nice, because SEED was small too. I can’t imagine anywhere that would be a better fit for me.

What advice do you have for fellow SEED graduates?

Take some time to pay attention to yourself. Figure out what you like and what makes you happy. Make sure all your needs are being met when you’re looking at a college—for example, if you have health problems, make sure the school is accommodating, and that locally, they would take your insurance. If you know you can’t cope without family nearby, pick a place that’s close to relatives. Never go to a specific college solely for a significant other! Major in something you’re excited about, not just something that will get you a lot of money, because you want to care about what you do. It might sound selfish, but you need to figure out what makes you happy, not what sounds good on paper. Lastly, make sure you pick a school you can afford, so that you can return for a second, third, and fourth year!